My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

the cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer

cake is so

‘wait’ motion with her hand, she lifted a knife and

the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to

the head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in

sing the

must close her eyes and make

blow

Julian that there was no need

the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish won’t come true,” a

found a little girl who wasn’t even at table height yet

her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began

you!” their

faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer

smiled for the

building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t

I might as well pretend it

child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm since you

turned and headed toward the

inside her apartment and

the door was propped open by

Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the

out on business?

explaining himself, he slid sideways into the house

you’ve been getting along

steps back. Why are you

as he pulled off his necktie and threw it onto the couch.

he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful days, would

step he approached her, forcing her

idea what she

her arm and pulled, she staggered after him and was dragged all the way